Mother: Army won't press charges in dog mauling

Thursday

The mother of a 3-year-old boy who was mauled to death by two dogs at Hunter Army Airfield said Army investigators have declined to press charges against the dogs' owner.

Nina Negron, whose son, Dandre Fisher, was killed by the dogs May 26, said she was informed earlier this week there isn't enough evidence to support criminal negligence charges against the owner.

Negron and Dandre were visiting a friend in the New Gannam housing area of the Army post when she said her son left her sight momentarily. She went outside and found her 38-pound son in the neighbor's fenced backyard being mauled by two pit bulls.

"He was being dragged by a dog," she said. "I was screaming for someone to help me out. I couldn't believe what I was seeing."

Dandre was rushed to a hospital and died from a significant loss of blood, she said.

Negron said investigators told her they couldn't support a negligence charge against the dog owner, because they believe Dandre climbed the chain-link fence into the yard. She disputes that, and said her son likely climbed partially up the fence before being snatched by one of the dogs.

Negron, who said she declined to provide Army investigators a statement, said she feels charges are justified against the owner.

"I just want justice for him (Dandre). He was my everything," Negron said. "I think she (the owner) is responsible for it. The dogs were obviously dangerous, and I don't think a 3-year-old would have climbed all the way over a fence like that."

Christopher Grey, spokesman for the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command investigating the incident, did not return a phone call seeking comment Thursday.

Hunter Army Airfield spokesman Steve Hart said the investigation remains open. He said he is not aware of any conclusions being reached.

The pit bull and pit bull mix involved in the incident have been euthanized, he said. It was determined that a third dog, a Pomeranian, was not involved in the attack. That dog has been returned to the owner.

The dogs' owner was in violation of Army housing rules that limit the number of dogs per household to two, said Kathy Grim, spokeswoman for GMH Military Housing, the company that manages the Army post's housing and enforces housing policy. She said repeat violations can result in pet privileges being revoked.

Negron, meanwhile, has found support around her after the loss of her only child.

The dental assistant's co-workers at Landmark Dental on Abercorn Street, as well as employees at neighboring businesses, donated enough money to bury Dandre in June.